Reinking mechanism

ABSTRACT

A printing and reinking mechanism which includes a member supporting a printing element and adapted for movement in a printing direction, means for selectively controlling the movement of the support member in a printing direction, a reinking member adapted for movement to a position engaging the printing element and actuating means for moving said printing element and the reinking member to provide a reinking operation and a printing operation.

United States Patent [191 Zurbuchen et al.

[ 1 Feb. 13, 1973 41 REINKING MECHANISM [75] Inventors: Louis E. Zurbuchen, Dayton; William R. Bradam, New Carlisle, both of Ohio 731 Assignee: The National Cash Register Co.,

Dayton,0hio

[22] Filed: Dec. 28, 1970 21 Appl.No.: 102,007

[52] US. Cl. ..101/333, 101/98, 101/103,

101/318 [51] Int. Cl. ..B4lk 1/42 [58] Field ofSearch ..l01/318,327,333,83,97,

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3,195,454 7/1965 Druehl ..10l/333 X 2,833,209 5/1958 Gustafson ..10l/83 X 3,147,696 9/1964 Smith et al.... ..101/322 X 2,269,691 1/1942 Rix ..101/318 2,633,798 4/1953 Sloan ....101/318 2,019,897 11/1935 Fiehl ..l01/318 2,792,778 5/1957 Schlegel et al ....101/318 X 1,235,565 8/1917 Hammer et a1 ..101/97 1,960,560 5/1934 Todd et a1 ..10l/97 2,889,771 6/1959 Williams ...101/98 X 2,310,179 2/1943 Kohnle ..101/301 Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-Eugene H. Eickholt Attorney-Louis A. Kline, Wilbert Hawk, Jr. and Richard W. Lavin [57 ABSTRACT A printing and reinking mechanism which includes a member supporting a printing element and adapted for movement in a printing direction, means for selectively controlling the movement of the support member in a printing direction, a reinking member adapted for movement to a position engaging the printing element and actuating means for moving said printing element and the reinking member to provide a reinking operation and'a printing operation.

6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEU FEB 13 I973 INVENTORS a M 3 m 2m BB V y 0 ma n M WW A E R I r I S E mm M m WM J Y B REINKING MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In business machines in which a printing member is utilized to print on a record material, ink-transfer roller members have been used to reink the printing member. This type of reinking mechanism requires a complex mechanism for controlling the engaging movement of the roller member with the printing member, which mechanism requires a certain amount of space. In some instances, this type of construction cannot be used due to cost and the space that is available for such mechanism. Therefore it is the object of this invention to provide a reinking mechanism which is simple in construction, low in cost, and occupies a minimum amount of space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A printing and reinking mechanism which includes a reinking member slidably mounted. for movement perpendicular to the movement of a printing member, drive means for moving the reinking member and the printing member in a direction to provide either a printing operation or a reinking operation and control means for selectively controlling the movement of the printing member to select either a printing operation or a reinking operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial detailed side view showing the printing'mechanism and the reinking mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a sectional front view of the cam line and the cam follower arms which are utilized to control the operation of both the printing mechanism and the reinking mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a side view of the reinking mechanism and the printing mechanism. Secured to the side frame of the data input device is a slip table 21 having a guide member 22 positioned adjacent therewith. Slidably supported by clips 23 mounted on the slip table 21 is a support member 24 to which is attached a reinking pad 25 at one of its ends. The other end of the support member has mounted thereon a lug 26 to which is rotatably mounted one end of an arm member 27 rotatably supported on a stud 28 secured to the side frame 20. The other end of the arm 27 is rotatably connected to one end of a link member 30, the other end of which is rotatably secured to one end of a lever member 31, which in turn is rotatably mounted on a stud 32 secured to the side frame 20. A spring 33 mounted between the arm 27 and a stud 34 located on the side frame 20 normally urges the arm 27 in a counter-clockwise direction about the stud 28. This movement is transmitted to the lever member 31 by the link 30.

Mounted adjacent an overhang portion 35 of the lever member 31 is one end of a cam follower arm 36 (FIG. 2) rotatably mounted on a shaft 37 located within the framework of the machine. The arm 36 is actuated by a cam member 38 secured to a cam shaft 40 in a manner well known in the art. Following rotation of the cam shaft 40, the cam member 38 will rock the arm 36 counter-clockwise and then clockwise about the shaft 37. The counter-clockwise rotation of the arm 36 will rock the lever member 31 clockwise about the stud 32 which results in the rocking of the arm 27 in a clockwise direction. This clockwise movement will allow the arm 27 to move the support member 24 and the reinking pad 25 to the right as viewed in FIG. 1 against the action of the spring 33. The clockwise rotation of the arm 36 will allow the spring 33 to move the reinking pad 25 and its support member 24 to the left as viewed in FIG. 1. As will be described more fully hereinafter, this latter position of the reinking pad 25 will allow a reinking operation to occur.

As shown in FIG. 1, associated with the reinking pad 25 is a printing member 41 mounted on a plate 42 slidably mounted on a pair of studs 43 secured to the side frame 20. The studs 43 are positioned in a pair of cam slots 44 located in the plate 42. Secured to the lower end of the plate 42 is a link 49. A spring 45 mounted between the stud 46 located on the side frame 20 and a finger portion 47 of the link 49 normally urges the plate 42 in an upward direction as viewed in FIG. 1.

The upward movement of the plate 42 and the printing member 41 is controlled by acam follower arm 48 (FIGS. 1 and 2), one end of which is positioned within a slot 50 located in the link 49. The cam follower arm 48 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 37 and is actuated by a cam member similar to cam 38 (FIG. 2) secured to the cam shaft 40. The cyclic movement of the cam follower arm 48 will allow the plate 42 to move in an upward direction under the action of the spring 45 and then provide a return movement to its home position against the action of the spring 45. Due to the configuration of the slot 44, the movement of the plate 42 will follow a slight S pattern to allow the arm to clear inter fering structure located adjacent to the plate.

Controlling the upward movement of the plate 42 is a latch member 51 (FIG. 1) rotatably mountedon a stud 52 secured to the side frame 20. The latch member has a lip portion 53 which is normally urged into engagement with the plate 42 by a spring 54 mounted between the latch member and a stud 55. The latch member 51 is engaged by an arm member 56 which is mounted on the armature 57 of a solenoid 58- mounted on the side 1 frame 20. Energizing of the solenoid 58 will result in the arm member 56 rocking the latch 1 member 51 counter-clockwise against the action of the spring 54. This movement will withdraw the lip portion 53 of the latch member from engagement with the plate 42 thus releasing the plate for movement in a upward direction.

In the operation of the reinking mechanism, the cam member operating the cam follower arm 48 will rock the arm 48 counter-clockwise (FIG. 2) twice during each revolution of the cam shaft 40. If the solenoid 58 has been energized prior to the operation of the cam shaft 40, thus removing the latch member 51 from the plate 42, the first counter-clockwise movement of the cam follower arm 48 will allow the spring 45 to move the plate 42in an upward direction to allow the printing member 41 toengage the reinking pad 25, thus reinking the printing member. The arm 48 will then be rocked clockwise by the cam member which action withdraws the printing member from the pad. At this time, the cam member 38 (FIG. 2) will rock the cam follower arm 36 counter-clockwise resulting in the movement of the support member 24 to the right as viewed in FIG, 1 against the action of the spring 33, thus removing the reinking pad 25 from the path of the printing member.

During the latter part of the revolution of the cam shaft 40, the cam follower arm 48 will again be rocked counter-clockwise to allow the spring 45 to move the plate 42 and printing member 41 in an upward direction thereby allowing the printing member to print on a record material located on the slip table 21. At the end of the cycle of revolution of the cam shaft 40, the cam follower arm 48 will be rocked clockwise to move the printing member 41 .to its home position while the cam follower arm 36 is rocked clockwise to allow the spring 33 to move the reinking pad 25 to its home position as shown in FIG. 1. Thus the reinking mechanism is now in position for a subsequent reinking operation.

When the printing member 41 is to be operated in a printing operation without the reinking to occur, the solenoid 58 will not be energized during the first portion of the operation of thecam shaft, thus preventing the plate 42 from moving a distance sufficient to allow the printing member to engage the reinking pad 25. During the second portion of the cam shaft operation and after the reinking pad 25 has moved out of the path of the printing member, the solenoid 58 will be energized to allow the printing operation to occur. If during the operation of the machine no printing is to occur, the solenoid will not be energized during the operation of the cam line.

What is claimed is:

l. A selectively operated reinking mechanism comprising a. slidably mounted printing means adapted for movement in a printing direction to print information on a print receiving medium;

b. reinking means mounted for movement to a position blocking the movement of the printing means in said printing direction to reink said printing means upon movement of said printing means in a printing direction;

c. a first resilient actuating member engaging said printing means for normally urging said printing means in a printing direction;

(1. first cam operated drive means engaging said printing means to cyclically release said printing means to the action of said first resilient member;

e. a second resilient actuating member engaging said reinking means for normally urging said reinking means to a blocking position with said printing means for a reinking operation;

f. second cam operated drive means engaging said reinking means to cyclically release said reinking means to the action of said second resilient member;

g. movable blocking means normally engaging said printing means for blocking the movement of the printing means in a printing direction;

h. and electrically operated control means engaging 1 said blocking means, said control means selectively operated to move said blocking means from engagement with said printing means whereby said printing means is moved in a printing direction upon operation of said first cam operated drive means to provide a printing operation and a reinkmg operation of said Iprintin means. 2. T e reinking mecha ism claim 11 in which said first and second cam operated drive means cyclically moves said printing means and said reinking means independently to their-home position against the action of said first and second resilient members respectively.

3. The reinking mechanism of claim 12 in which said second cam operated drive means releases said reinking means to the action of said second resilient member after said first cam operated drive means has moved said printing means to its home position whereby upon subsequent release of said printing means by first drive means and said blocking means, said printing means will be moved by said second resilient member into engagement with said reinking means.

4. The reinking mechanism of claim 13 in which said first and second resilient members comprises tension springs.

5. A reinking mechanism comprising a. a slidably mountedsupport member adapted for movement in a first direction;

b. a printing member mounted on said support member and adapted to print information on a print receiving medium when moved in said first direction;

0. a reinking member slidably mounted for movement to a position blocking the movement of the printing member in said first direction thereby reinking said printing member;

d. a first resilient member engaging said support member and normally urging said support member in said first direction;

e. first cain operated drive means engaging said support member and adapted to cyclically release said support member to the action of said first resilient member whereby said support member is moved in said first direction;

f. linkage means engaging said reinking member and adapted, when actuated, to move said reinking member to a position blocking the movement of said printing member in said first direction;

g. a second resilient member engaging said linkage means and normally actuating said linkage means whereby said reinking member is moved to a blocking position;

. second cam operated drive means engaging said linkage means to cyclically release said linkage means to the action of said second resilient member before said first cam operated drive means releases said support member to the action of said first resilient member whereby said printing member is reinked by said reinking member;

i. a latch member engaging said support member normally disabling the movement of the support member in said first direction;

j. and electromagnetic control means engaging. said latch member and adapted, when operated, to disengage said latch member from said support member thereby allowing said first drive means to move said support member in said first direction.

6. The reinking mechanism of claim 15 in which said first and second resilient members comprises tension springs. 

1. A selectively operated reinking mechanism comprising a. slidably mounted printing means adapted for movement in a printing direction to print information on a print receiving medium; b. reinking means mounted for movement to a position blocking the movement of the printing means in said printing direction to reink said printing means upon movement of said printing means in a printing direction; c. a first resilient actuating member engaging said printing means for normally urging said printing means in a printing direction; d. first cam operated drive means engaging said printing means to cyclically release said printing means to the action of said first resilient member; e. a second resilient actuating member engaging said reinking means for normally urging said reinking means to a blocking position with said printing means for a reinking operation; f. second cam operated drive means engaging said reinking means to cyclically release said reinking means to the action of said second resilient member; g. movable blocking means normally engaging said printing means for blocking the movement of the printing means in a printing direction; h. and electrically operated control means engaging said blocking means, said control means selectively operated to move said blocking means from engagement with said printing means whereby said printing means is moved in a printing direction upon operation of said first cam operated drive means to provide a printing operation and a reinking operation of said printing means.
 1. A selectively operated reinking mechanism comprising a. slidably mounted printing means adapted for movement in a printing direction to print information on a print receiving medium; b. reinking means mounted for movement to a position blocking the movement of the printing means in said printing direction to reink said printing means upon movement of said printing means in a printing direction; c. a first resilient actuating member engaging said printing means for normally urging said printing means in a printing direction; d. first cam operated drive means engaging said printing means to cyclically release said printing means to the action of said first resilient member; e. a second resilient actuating member engaging said reinking means for normally urging said reinking means to a blocking position with said printing means for a reinking operation; f. second cam operated drive means engaging said reinking means to cyclically release said reinking means to the action of said second resilient member; g. movable blocking means normally engaging said printing means for blocking the movement of the printing means in a printing direction; h. and electrically operated control means engaging said blocking means, said control means selectively operated to move said blocking means from engagement with said printing means whereby said printing means is moved in a printing direction upon operation of said first cam operated drive means to provide a printing operation and a reinking operation of said printing means.
 2. The reinking mechanism of claim 11 in which said first and second cam operated drive means cyclically moves said printing means and said reinking means independently to their home position against the action of said first and second resilient members respectively.
 3. The reinking mechanism of claim 12 in which said second cam operated drive means releases said reinking means to the action of said second resilient member after said first cam operated drive means has moved said printing means to its home position whereby upon subsequent release of said printing means by first drive means and said blocking means, said printing means will be moved by said second resilient member into engagement with said reinking means.
 4. The reinking mechanism of claim 13 in which said first and second resilient members comprises tension springs.
 5. A reinking mechanism comprising a. a slidably mounted support member adapted for movement in a first direction; b. a printing member mounted on said support member and adapted to print information on a print receiving medium when moved iN said first direction; c. a reinking member slidably mounted for movement to a position blocking the movement of the printing member in said first direction thereby reinking said printing member; d. a first resilient member engaging said support member and normally urging said support member in said first direction; e. first cam operated drive means engaging said support member and adapted to cyclically release said support member to the action of said first resilient member whereby said support member is moved in said first direction; f. linkage means engaging said reinking member and adapted, when actuated, to move said reinking member to a position blocking the movement of said printing member in said first direction; g. a second resilient member engaging said linkage means and normally actuating said linkage means whereby said reinking member is moved to a blocking position; h. second cam operated drive means engaging said linkage means to cyclically release said linkage means to the action of said second resilient member before said first cam operated drive means releases said support member to the action of said first resilient member whereby said printing member is reinked by said reinking member; i. a latch member engaging said support member normally disabling the movement of the support member in said first direction; j. and electromagnetic control means engaging said latch member and adapted, when operated, to disengage said latch member from said support member thereby allowing said first drive means to move said support member in said first direction. 